I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 399

A tense atmosphere settled over the city. The grim expressions of the residents clustered in small groups made it clear they had all seen the dwarves carrying the bodies.

"An attack from inside? What in the world!"

"Has the stronghold's location been exposed?"

"Could there be one of them among—"

The murmured voices of the residents brushed past Ian's ears as he sprinted up the stairs. No one had yet grasped the full scope of the situation. Reaching the upper floor, Ian pushed through the gathering crowd and moved swiftly along the path.

At that moment, a group of guards returned from the outer passage—two orcs and one dwarf. Ian's gaze fixed on the limping, blood-smeared dwarf in leather armor. His single-edged hand ax, held in place of his usual spear, was also slick with crimson.

One guard had survived.

"The intruders?" Stopping a short distance away, Ian addressed the dwarf.

"Killed them. Both of them." The dwarf, letting his ax hang at his side, responded.

The orc guards stopped beside him, one of them cradling the body of a human man in his arms. Brutal slashes to the corpse's throat and chest left him drenched in blood.

"Fucking hell. Their faces, their voices—it was definitely Donald and Esther," the dwarf muttered bitterly, his nostrils flaring as he continued. "They stabbed Digby as soon as they stepped inside. Didn't even give us a chance to react—"

"The entrance," Ian interrupted.

"It's closed," the dwarf replied.

At the very least, they had successfully locked down all the city’s entrances.

"Head to the top floor. The dwarves should be gathered there with the corpses."

"What? Damn it!" The dwarf's eyes widened in shock before he hurried past Ian, limping as quickly as he could. The orc carrying the body followed him.

Ian's gaze shifted to the guards who had gathered behind him. "Arm all the Bears. We need to be prepared."

One of the orc guards responded immediately, "Sir, you have no authority to give orders."

"Do as he says," a voice called out before Ian could react.

The voice came from behind the guards, where Count Graham was pushing his way through the crowd. His gaunt face swept over the guards as he continued, "Summon the others on standby and have them gather here as well."

The orcs finally bowed their heads and moved. Ian glanced past the Count, taking in the figures behind him: two orc bodyguards, several human officials, and Diana. Further back, the city residents were hesitantly drawing closer.

Among them, Ian noticed Lucia leading a group of workers from the dining hall, ascending the stairs.

"Tell Lucy about the situation. In detail."

A chuckling voice brushed through Ian's mind.

—Gladly, my friend. Gladly.

As Yog's whisper began recounting prior events, Count Graham, who had stopped before Ian, opened his mouth to speak. "I've heard the report, Sir Ian. What's the current situation?"

"For now, all entrances have been sealed. Are there any other exits?"

The Count nodded. "There is one more, but it's an exit that cannot be opened from outside. Very few know its location."

"That's a relief," Ian replied calmly.

The Count narrowed his eyes as he glanced at the swords Ian held in each hand. "Do you suspect there might be more intruders?"

"Not yet. But the city is likely surrounded—" Ian abruptly stopped speaking, his gaze snapping upward.

Almost simultaneously, the Count and the surrounding others followed suit.

"What is?"

The Mantra circuit covering the ceiling and walls of the cavern glowed with a brilliant golden light. For a moment, radiant light bathed the entire city before the glow abruptly dimmed.

Boom, boom.

A low reverberation and vibration spread through the cavern, unmistakably from outside the city.

"I was hoping they'd retreat after being discovered," Ian muttered, clicking his tongue. "But that doesn't seem to be the case."

The Count, Diana, the guards, and the officials all looked at him in unison. However, Ian gaze wasn’t on them.

[The Wanderer’s Arrival.]

A quest window appeared before him.

As Ian scanned through its details, Count Graham clenched his gaunt fist and murmured, "The Wanderers, attacking the stronghold. Have we really become their target?"

Meanwhile, the city's Mantra circuits continued to flicker irregularly, glowing brightly and dimming in a chaotic rhythm. The faint tremors enveloping the city persisted, resonating from every direction.

"Wh-what should we do, Your Excellency?" An official behind the Count asked in a trembling voice.

A sizable crowd of residents had gathered nearby, waiting anxiously for the Count's orders.

Letting out a sigh as though trying to steady himself, the Count finally spoke. "No matter how powerful the Wanderers are, they cannot break through the dragon's magic that protects the city. If we hold our position and wait for reinforcements—"

"That won’t work," Ian interrupted.

Not only the Count but everyone else around him turned their attention to him once more.

Ian continued, "They won't give up. They'll break through the protective spells, smash the barriers sealing the entrances, and flood into the city. Or perhaps before that happens—"

He cast a glance at the ceiling, where the Mantra circuits shimmered faintly, before looking back at the Count. "The magic stored in the Mantra circuits could run out entirely."

"The Mantra circuits have never failed before," the Count replied, his voice trembling slightly but keeping its composure. "We endured an attack by monsters long ago. The dragon's magic annihilated them, protecting the city."

It was a reasonable and persuasive claim. The immense Mantra circuit's sole purpose was the protection and sustenance of this city.

However, Ian already knew the undead legion would breach the city's defenses. After all, the quest's objective was to protect the inner stronghold from invasion. Of course, to convince the Count, he needed a different argument.

"Do you know what powers the Mantra circuit?" Ian asked.

The Count shook his head. "All I know is that it purifies and absorbs natural magic. As for where and how much of that magic is concentrated, I couldn't say. But it must be a considerable amount."

"In other words, it's not infinite," Ian said.

The Count fell silent.

"Those things survived wandering across the Black Lands. Not only did they endure—they grew stronger. Isn't that right?"

"Uh, what? Y-Yes, that's right." Diana stammered under Ian's pointed gaze, nodding reflexively. "Yes, as I've mentioned, the Wanderers have grown to the size of a legion."

Looking overwhelmed by the stares from the Count and others, she squinted. "To be honest, they looked even larger than a single legion. And with Carmiel reborn as a demon... they truly are a demonic legion now."

"And they've already reanimated the Owls, gaining valuable information about this place. That they still launched an attack means they're confident they can take this city." Ian shrugged as he naturally picked up where Diana had left off. "Besides, this likely isn't their first time capturing a stronghold. Their methods are far too systematic and skilled."

The Count gulped, his pale lips parting hesitantly. "So, what are you suggesting? That we, with just us, stand against this undead legion?"

"Exactly."

"What?"

The eyes of nearly everyone present—save for the orcs—widened in disbelief. Ignoring their reactions, Ian locked eyes with the Count and pressed on.

"Let's fight."

"Th—That's madness!" the Count stammered, his face drained of color. "Look around you. That's everyone in the city right there. If you exclude women and children, our numbers are even fewer."

"If we sit here and do nothing, we'll all die anyway," Ian said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion as he scanned the surrounding faces. "Unless a miracle happens and the Wolves arrive at this very moment."

The Count's lips moved soundlessly as if words failed him. The others were no different, their expressions heavy with shared unease. Anxiety, after all, was among the most contagious emotions.

The only one nodding was Lucia. With Yog having already briefed her, her gaze gleamed with determined resolve, ready for battle.

"That's why we must fight them here," Ian said, his voice calm yet firm as he glanced around. His gaze returned to the Count's trembling blue eyes. "While there's still magic left in the Mantra circuits. Along with the dragon's spells."

The Count's furrowed brows deepened as he seemed to wrestle with the decision.

"I agree with the lanky fellow, Your Excellency," came a raspy voice from the crowd behind them. Two dwarves, clad in silver-white armor, pushed through the crowd, carrying the rest of Ian's gear.

"The concealed barriers were built using ancient technology. Minor damage or scratches are one thing, but if the entire wall or its mechanisms are destroyed, we cannot restore them." Corvo said as he came to a halt in front of Ian.

"If the barriers fall, we're all good as dead. I’d rather see the city reduced to rubble. Buildings can be rebuilt—our lives can't." As Corvo continued, Langley gestured toward Ian with his chin while gripping the armor's backplate.

"What, you're going to dress me yourself?" Ian asked.

Langley nodded, likely because Ian's hands were full, holding both a longsword and a dagger. With a chuckle, Ian sat cross-legged on the ground, not bothering to argue.

Corvo stepped forward and added, "So let's fight. Let's not cower in this place like frightened moles."

Langley, circling behind Ian with the backplate in hand, chimed in, "Let's take vengeance for the fallen Bears and Owls with our own hands!" It was a remark befitting a stubborn and impulsive dwarf.

"Damn right! Let's do it!"

"If we're going to die, let's die fighting!"

The dwarves gathered in the middle section of the stairs erupted into shouts, their spirits roused by Corvo and Langley's words.

Ian raised his arms slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as the humans joined in the rallying cries.

"Your Excellency! Give us the order!"

"We're ready to fight!"

The only ones standing silently were the ever-principled orcs and the fairies. Diana, too, remained among them.

"Fight and die? What kind of bullshit is that? Fucking hell." Her grumbled curses reached Ian's ears just as the Count's voice rang out.

"If that's everyone's will, then so be it," he said, his voice firming despite the slight tremor in his clenched fists. Closing his eyes briefly, he added, "But before that, someone must make a sacrifice. The barriers need to be fully opened."

The crowd's boisterous cheers fell silent at once, leaving only the flickering glow of the unstable Mantra circuits and the faint hum of distant vibrations.

"Evading the incoming undead while retreating won't be easy. Not even for an experienced scout. Therefore—" Opening his eyes, he locked gazes with Ian and declared, "I will open the barrier in the valley-side cavern myself."

Ian's eyes widened slightly.

"Y-Your Excellency!" One of the officials behind them cried out in shock.

The Count turned his gaunt face toward the source of the voice. "I am of no use in combat. As you can see, Sir Ian here is far more suited to command than I am. The safety of the stronghold comes first. Someone more capable can fill my position."

So, he’d come to such a decision.

Ian's eyes glimmered briefly with surprise. And yet, it wasn't just the Count stepping forward.

"In that case, I'll go to the sewers."

"I'll take the ridge!"

Two human officials raised their hands, their faces pale and almost tearful. Both were as thin and worn as the Count himself.

The Count, momentarily taken aback, turned to look at them. Following a faint smile, he offered a joke. "So I guess I’m not the only one who wants to escape the duties."

The officials pressed their lips together, nodding in quiet agreement. The Count then turned to the others gathered around.

"Women, children, and those unable to fight proceed immediately to the inner stronghold. As for the remaining combatants, from this moment, you will follow Sir Ian's lead—"

"—I don't mean to undermine your resolve, Your Excellency," Ian interjected.

Having stepped back and dusted their hands, Corvo and Langley signaled that Ian's armor was fully secured.

"But just wait for a moment." Rising slowly, Ian added, "There might be a way to open all the barriers with no one needing to die."

The Count stared at him in bewilderment before asking cautiously, "What do you mean?"

"Well," Ian raised his left hand, which was holding the dagger, and shrugged. "To be honest, this is my first time trying it."

Swoosh—

At that moment, a golden light shimmered between the gaps of his left gauntlet. The light climbed up the back of his hand, forming a radiant, hexagonal pattern that seemed to float above his skin.

The change was enough to leave not only the Count but everyone around him gaping in stunned silence.

Fixating on the Platinum Barrier as though entranced, the Count murmured, "What is this?"

Diana’s eyes suddenly widened as she realized something. But before she could say a word, Ian closed his eyes.

Ching—

A resonant, crystalline sound filled the air as the surface of the Platinum Barrier rippled brightly. Then, golden waves of energy surged outward from Ian's entire body in perfect circles.

Swoosh—

The wave swept past the crowd, sending their hair and clothes fluttering. At the same time, the spell circuits covering the walls and ceiling dimmed momentarily, as if extinguished.

Woosh!

And then the light above Ian's head again, rippling outward in concentric circles. The waves of light pulsed rapidly, alternating between brightness and darkness.

Fwoooom.

Gradually, the concentric circles slowed and became more regular, their center still fixed above Ian's head.

And when he opened his eyes, the Count's eyes widened once more.

Glowing rings seemed etched into Ian's eyes, causing his pupils to shimmer with a golden hue.

"It seems your retirement will have to wait," Ian said, lifting the corner of his lips into a smirk. "This city belongs to me now. Which means I can do whatever I want with it."